ring choice?

Question

do you like large eternity bands or solitaire diamonds with a plain band better? i'm trying to decide btwn the two and can't make a decision. the solitaire and plain wedding band seem too safe, but the estate/vintage style eternity bands seem like there might not be enough diamond presence.

http://geocities.com/sbiv37/marr

i'm already married. been married 4 yrs. just trying to upgrade the original rings.

the reason for the upgrade: my husband and i don't believe in going into debt for material possessions. we bought the ring we could afford when we got married (i was 21), with the intention to upgrade on our 5th anniversary when we could afford better. we both graduated college and have great jobs. we have saved up and want to upgrade.

Answer 1

Just to address a previous answer...
There is no reason you can't upgrade any time you like...maybe you are at a different financial status than before, and now you can afford what you really want. Lots of people may have to buy the tiniest little diamond chip, and plan to upgrade later. This may be a great 5th anniversay gift, or whatever.

I think an even more appropriate choice for an upgrade/anniversary gift is the 3 stone ring, with the large one in the center flanked by two stones on the side. They can be any shape, and the ones on the sides can be a different shape than the center one (like a triangle or trillion cut that points down each side of the band).

This represents past, present and future.

Maybe that could be your replacement engagement ring and the eternity band can be your replacement wedding band. The fun part with the 3 stone ring is you can mix diamonds with another stone, if you like sapphire for instance. It could be the main stone, or the side stones.

I really love the eternity ring too but my jeweler seemed to advise against it, you may want to discuss with a certified jeweler at a nice local store (not a chain store in the mall, tho I'm sure they have perfectly valid and certified employees of some kind).

So I chose the 3 stone ring, in all rounds. The wedding band will be a custom band with 5 smaller stones that bows slightly to hug the engagement ring. They will be soldered together after we get back from our honeymoon.

It was a really hard choice....so many styles to choose from and the antique/vintage designs are so ornate and eye catching. But eventually I had to go with my overall style (more modern/simple, classic even) and go for the 3 stone. Mine is in white gold, by the way, I don't know if you mentioned your preference on the metal/color.

Answer 2

A couple interesting points from a jeweler perspective. An eternity ring typically cannot be resized. Therefore if you gain a substantial amount of weight or have medical reason causing you some swelling, you will not be able to have that ring resized easily like another ring.

Personally, I find the eternity bands uncomfortable on the sides where it hits the other fingers. I loved the wraps--especially one like this with other gemstones.
http://www.helzberg.com/hdsim/jsp/catalog.do?submit.y=0&submit.x=0&product_id=1616353&channelId=-8819&programId=9413
http://www.helzberg.com/hdsim/jsp/catalog.do?submit.y=0&submit.x=0&product_id=1337985&channelId=-8819&programId=9413

As far as looks go, that is completely up to you. The eternity rings are nice looking but you want to make sure its sparkle doesn't overwhelm your engagement ring. I got a diamond band that was not an eternity ring but instead just had diamonds on the top
http://www.helzberg.com/hdsim/jsp/catalog.do?submit.y=0&submit.x=0&product_id=1614202&channelId=-8901&programId=9432

A solitaire really makes the center stone jump out. I wanted a solitaire, however my ring has 3 small side stones on each side.

So I guess--b/c you said Large eternity bands...I have to say I like solitaire diamonds better. I think the large eternity bands take away from the engagement diamond.

Answer 3

Both rings sound beautiful. Have you decided what type of wedding band you'd like? Keep that in mind when making your decision. The possibilites are endless when choosing solitaires. Your choices may be somewhat limited with 3 stone rings (you'll want both rings to fit together neatly). While you're in the jewelers trying on engagement rings, experiment with different bands too. Congratulations.

Answer 4

My husband gave me a solitaire ring with a gold band when we got married. The eternity ring is used to represent the time you have been married for a long time or for your anniversary.

Answer 5

Eternity bands tend to be for anniversaries rather than weddings. I'm partial to the traditional solitaire ring for engagement and plain bands for wedding; so that is what I would recommend.

Answer 6

congrats!

smart thing you two are doing.. my fiance & i plan on doing the same! i'm 21 and he's 23.. i've actually already gotten an upgrade of my engagement ring..

anyway.. how about a solitaire with an eternity band?? that is what i am going to get.. (eventually lol) they look great together!

Answer 7

A solitare with plain band, then with a ten, twenty or more anniversary adding the eternity band.

The best of both worlds is a solitare with and eternity wedding band.

Answer 8

Look at them and try 'em on again. Then go with your gut feeling. But why are u upgrading after 4 years anyway? Either way get them blessed.

Answer 9

I like my eternity bands on my ring but i would go try them both on andsee if one feels better to you
whats the link for?

Answer 10

I like the second choice better, I am between wedding bands also!! Good Luck and Congratulations!!!